If you have recently seen your Google PageRank go AWOL, do not worry. Google is in the midst of a mass update on their internal database, which apparently includes some 3.5 million updates. From the Google Guy himself:

Here’s the advice that I’d give now: take a break from checking ranks for several more days. Bourbon includes something like 3.5 improvements in search quality, and I believe that only a couple are out so far. The 0.5 will go out in a day or so, and the last major change should roll out over the next week or so. Then there will still be some minor changes after that as well. So my “weather report” along the lines of http://www.ysearchblog.com/archives/000095.html would be a recommendation that rankings may still change somewhat over the next several days.

Now, there is no guarantee that you will not see a drop in your PageRank. What he is saying is that things may be erratic over the next week or so. Just keep doing what you are doing to get your name out there, and you should (hopefully) be fine.

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There is a new and interesting way to make money using what would otherwise be empty real estate on your website. A company called SoftwareAdsNow.com is using another company, RegNow, to feed affiliate advertisements for software programs to your site AdSense style. You sign up for an affiliate ID, and that ID is thusly inserted into all ads displayed on your website. You can configure the stylistic appearance of the ads, as well as categories of software that you would or would not like to have appear. Of course, you will only earn a commission based on the sales - not clicks. Still, it is an interesting hybrid of two popular money-earning models.

Upgrading the PC is a common pastime that Gear Live editors partake in with glee. If you are looking to replace yours, now is a great time. There are new boards available for your purchasing pleasure. Any of the new boards are good enough, however according to Toms Hardware, the Abit Fatal1ty AN8 and MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Edition outshine the rest. Here’s the list:

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Why have two graphics cards on your system when you can have four? Working on the principle that bigger is better, Gigabyte is working on producing a motherboard that will support four video cards instead of just two. One video card can be expensive, two cards can be twice as expensive, now four? There’s no word yet on if it will be offered to consumers upon completion, or what the price may be. One thing that is certain - performance does not come cheap.

If you like using Skype or MSN to talk to your buddies without wasting those precious cell phone minutes then you are probably annoyed at having to be sitting in front of your computer the whole time instead of walking around the house while talking (like I do). Well if you have a cordless telephone lying around that you don’t use anymore then you can try to modify it to work with Skype or any other software program you use to talk to your friends. Word of caution: as with most modifying tasks, use proper caution when dealing with wires, scissors, and all that electricityish stuff.

This weekend will be a good weekend for moviegoers as it seems there is a film for just about everyone coming out. This week we take a closer look at Lords of Dogtown and Cinderella Man, two good films set to hit theaters Friday, and a glance at The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and two limited releases. Whether you’re looking for a film with action and attitude, good acting and uplifting storytelling, or just a feel good movie, be sure to hit your local theater this weekend and take a break from everyday life.

So you think your computer looks pimping with that side window, lights, round cables, and some custom fan shields. Forget that - your modified PC is not complete until you also modify your monitor. TwistedMods has a nice How To detailing how to mod your monitor for the ultimate in gaming rigs. Remember that the insides of CRT monitors can be dangerous to work it, so use the proper caution when attempting this mod.

With the right parts, tools, and 15 minutes of spare time, you can make a laser pen that transmits audio signals across the room with almost no audio loss. This is a neat mod for anyone that wants to transmit some audio to a better sound system across the room or pavilion. Of course, we will not mention all the potential pranks someone could do with this set up.

Sony is testing out some new Anti-CD burning technology in hopes of stopping what they refer to as “school-yard piracy”. Ah, when will they learn? I mean it takes them how long to come up with a “new” anti-piracy technology; and it takes people how long to come up with a work around? Even without someone breaking the security there’s always some other method to work around it. Nonetheless, Sony’s new method allows consumers to make limited copies of protected discs, but blocks users from making copies of the copies

Turns out that the Playstation 3’s RSX processor is not done; not only is it not done but its not even near done. According to NVIDIA’s CFO, Marv Burkett, the RSX processor’s silicon is not even taped out, meaning it’s being finalized now and will be ready by Christmas – in time for a spring 2006 launch. That being the case, what were the Sony guys showing us at E3? They were boasting left and right about what the RSX processor can do, but there is no processor yet. According to Burkett, the technology demos were being showcased in an upcoming new desktop product with similar capabilities of the RSX. As bit-tech.net puts it, “So, if NVIDIA’s upcoming part is capable of all that we saw demonstrated at the press conference, what is RSX capable of?” Seriously, when will we really see what these things can do?